Ladder



(No Model.)

I. S. SPRAGUE. LADDER.

No. 475,164. Patented May 17, 1 892.

W/TNESSES 5 Ji jl/ENTOH Z: 5 a d 7 BY- A TTORNE Y8 NI'TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS S. SPRAGUE, OF FEDERAL POINT, FLORIDA.

LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 475,164, dated May 17, 1892.

Application filed November 3, 1891. $erial N0. A10,'75Z. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS S. SPRAGUE, of Federal Point, in the county of Putnam and State of' Florida, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Ladders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention more especially relates to step-ladders; and it consists in certain novel constructions and combination of'parts, including the means used to support the steps, substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

' Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a view in, perspective of a step-ladder as when thrown open embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation looking from the step side of the ladder of one of the side pieces and the step connected with it in part; Fig. 3, a view in perspective of one of the ladder-steps as seen from its under side; Fig. 4, a plan view of a metal connec tion shown in Fig. 1 as applied to the top of the side pieces of the ladder and as carryingthe support which sustains the top step, and Fig. 5 is an elevation of the upper part of one of the legs or standards of the ladder with metal attachment applied thereto.

A A indicate the step-inclosing side pieces of the ladder, and B the steps. These steps B are not connected directly with the side pieces A A, and nails or screws for uniting them at their ends with the side pieces are dispensed with but they are carried by swinging metal loops or straps C, resembling stirrups, arranged diagonally around the side pieces A A and having their free or swinging lower ends onthe inside of said side pieces for engagement with the under sides of the steps B by pins or projections b thereon freely entering the lower end portions of said loops or straps. These swinging loops or straps are loosely supported or carried at their upper ends, so as to admit of them bodily swinging, mainly by brackets or staples c on the outer faces of the side pieces A. The top step B is similarly hung; but its upper end portion loosely rests in notches (1, cut in a metal connection D, secured to the upper part of each side piece A, and serving by a metal top or facing-piece E on each leg or standard G of the ladder provided with a pin 6, which enters a hole f in the metal piece D, to connect the upper ends of the legs or standardsG with the upper ends of the side pieces A, so as to admit of these leading members of the ladder opening from or closing one against the other, accordingly as the ladder is required to be used or to be .shut up. By thus supporting the steps B by the swinging straps or loops 0 thesteps will be held firmly at their ends against the side pieces A, and the greater the weight thrown upon the steps by the use of the ladder the stronger and closer the joint or connection will be between the ends of the steps and the side pieces A of the ladder. Furthermore, the swinging straps or loops 0 not only act as supports, but as braces above and below the steps, and when weight comes upon the steps a much stronger ladderis produced than where the steps are otherwise connected with the side pieces. No wriggling motion sidewise will weaken or loosen the joints thus made. The brace H for preventing the legs G from spreading laterally is of like construction to the steps B, and is connected to the legs in like manner, as shownin Fig. l. The legs are further prevented from swinging too far away from the ladder proper and from spreading laterally by braces I I, hinged at their outer ends to the legs and the side pieces A, their inner ends having a loop connection at 1', so that when extended the braces reinforce each other, such connection also allowing the legs to swing back to the side pieces when the ladder is raised to move it to another location.

A step-ladder thus constructed is not only simple, light, strong, du rable, and cheaply constructed, butits several leading members that iS,.the side pieces A, legs G, and steps B- may be readily taken apart and packed away in a small space or compass when the ladder is not required or for transportation purposes.

To hold the stepsBfirmly down in the loops when the ladder is in use, catches or pivoted buttons It may be applied to the side pieces A to bear down upon the steps, as shown in Fig. 1.

While I have shown my invention as embodied in a step-ladder having legs, I desire it to be understood thatI do not limit myself to that application, as the construction and connection of the steps may be adapted in forming ladders without legs and of any desired length.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent I a 1. The combination, with the side pieces of a ladder, of swinging stirrup-like straps or loops connected therewith and loose steps provided with pins or projections on their under sides arranged to engage With the free or swinging lower ends or portion of said straps or loops, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the side pieces A A of the ladder and the legs or standards G G, of the metal connections D, secured to the and legs, the loose steps B, the brace H, connecting the legs G together, and the braces I I, having a loop connection '0' at their inner ends and hinged at their outer ends to the legs andside pieces, respectively, substantially as specified.

FRANCIS S. SPRAGUE.

\Vitnesses:

F. D. ACKERMAN, RoBT. BARNES. 

